Aircraft Freight Door Control System with Collision Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing systems for controlling freight doors in transportation means, such as aircraft, require numerous manual steps and additional tools, leading to time-consuming and labor-intensive operations for opening and closing, with safety concerns due to the need for manual monitoring and potential collisions.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a drive unit, control unit, and sensor unit that allows for fully automated operation of freight doors by monitoring the pivoting range with sensors, transmitting signals to control the door's movement and locking, eliminating the need for manual intervention and ensuring safe operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation is used to open and close freight doors, then the door can be controlled with simple mechanical means, but the operation requires numerous manual steps and additional tools, leading to time-consuming and labor-intensive procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of door operationVSAvoidtime for door operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated control system comprising a control unit, drive unit, and sensor unit. The control unit automatically activates the drive unit to open or close the door based on sensor input, eliminating the need for manual handling of handles, latches, and control valves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The door system performs self-monitoring and self-action through the sensor unit that detects objects in the pivoting range and automatically triggers the control unit to activate the drive unit. The system serves itself by detecting conditions and executing appropriate actions without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual monitoring of the pivoting range is performed, then collision detection can be achieved, but additional personnel and manual monitoring steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollision detection reliabilityVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual monitoring with an automated sensor unit that uses optical or other detection fields to monitor the pivoting range. The sensor unit automatically detects objects and transmits collision signals to the control unit, eliminating the need for human monitors while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sensor unit acts as an intermediary between the physical environment (objects in the pivoting range) and the control system. It converts physical presence into electrical signals that the control unit can process, enabling automatic collision detection without direct human observation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Force

If hydraulic drive units are used for door operation, then sufficient force can be provided, but the drive unit cannot be stopped quickly, reducing safety during pivoting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor actuation forceVSAvoiddoor pivoting speed control

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces hydraulic drive units with electromechanical drive units that use electric motors. These electromechanical systems provide sufficient force for door operation while enabling precise speed control and rapid stopping through electrical signal interruption, thereby improving safety during pivoting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If multiple manual steps are required for door operation, then precise control can be achieved, but the complexity of the operating procedure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor control precisionVSAvoidoperating procedure simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate manual operations (handling, unlocking, opening/closing, locking) into a single automated sequence controlled by the control unit. The sensor unit, control unit, and drive unit work as an integrated system that automatically coordinates all door operations, simplifying the procedure while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11293209B2Device for controlling a door of a vehicle and aircraft

Publication Date: 2022.04.05 AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH

AI summary

A device for controlling a door of a vehicle includes a drive unit that pivots the door between closed and open positions, wherein the closed and open positions define a pivoting range of the door. The device includes a control unit to control the drive unit. The device also includes a sensor unit that monitors the pivoting range. The sensor unit transmits a collision signal when an object is in the pivoting range while the drive unit is pivoting the door. The control unit transmits a switch-off signal to the drive unit if the control unit receives the collision signal.